Message from the Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR,
Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen

Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) has had nine successful years. The 10th MIF will be held from 20 – 23 October 2005, I would like to extend my best wishes for yet another favourable year !

Since the handover, Macao’s economy has increased consistently, especially over the last three years; the GDP has grown dramatically, which increased 28% last year. Looking to future, the trend for Macao’s economy will be one that develops strongly. We are making the most of the opportunities but at the same time vigilant to the potential difficulties, we have to maintain Macao’s economic growth and to perfect the moderate diversified industrial structure, therefore, both the competitive advantages and living standards of Macao will improve and the economy will develop at a steady rate.

Strengthening foreign trade co-operation and developing the regional economy, is one of Macao’s basic economic strategies. With the characteristics and advantages, we have been making every effort to establish Macao as a gaming and tourism centre as well as a regional trade service platform, placing particular emphasis on Mainland China and Portuguese-Speaking countries’ trade co-operation and communication platform and also the service platform for the communication and co-operation among Chinese traders all over the world.

With the implementation of the《Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement》and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Co-operation, the function of Macao’s regional trade service platform has been built up even further. The annual MIF is one of the most important events where we can present Macao’s function as a service platform.

The theme of 10th MIF is “ Promoting regional co-operation for developing economic diversification ”, which is aimed at developing Macao’s function as a trade service platform, promoting regional co-operation and improving the competitive advantages, as well as helping SME’s to enhance their competitiveness to perfect our moderate diversified industrial structure through utilising the unique advantages of Macao and the implementation of 《CEPA》.

Finally, I would like to extend my best wishes to all participants, let’s work together to achieve even more this year!

Francis Tam Pak Yuen
Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR